JustinW.73 224 #1 Posted July 7, 2014 I have a 1973 no name (raider 12) 8 speed tractor with a kohler k301 12 hp engine. It smoke blue/white smoke when say mowing or running around when in high 3rd. The engine uses oil so I know its oil. Also, it has the slightest bit of a knok. Any info/help would be great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #2 Posted July 7, 2014 Sounds like it's in need of a rebuild. I wouldn't push it if it has a knock...never ends well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustinW.73 224 #4 Posted July 7, 2014 Ya, I'm going to rebuild the engine when I restore the tractor this fall. Or right after the perade thats going to be in my hometown. Is it the rod knoking on the crank? If so, what do I have to do with it when rebuilding it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #5 Posted July 8, 2014 The first thing you need to do is download the Kohler engine service manual. It will walk you through everything you need to do to do a proper rebuild. A "bible" for the Kohler engine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustinW.73 224 #6 Posted July 8, 2014 (edited) Actually, believe it or not, I figured out what was knoking. I was on the forum and found that the points can make a knoking noise so i took them out compleatly with the push rod (never did this before, just gapped the points) and cleaned them real good and it doesn't knok now. And the smoke seems to be alot less to. I just cleaned the spark plug (again) so I will let it work for a while and see if its as black as it usually gets. Thanks for all your help. Edited July 8, 2014 by JustinW.73 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 221 #7 Posted July 8, 2014 Cheap no name oils will smoke. SAE 30 in Shell Rotella T1, or a nice 15w-40 diesel oil in a pinch. Set points at like 18 or so, and see if there is a knock. I will say this carefully, an oil burning kohler that does NOT knock, can still last a lifetime. But the problem is even the best maintainers can slip up and forget to check the level, or push it another 20min and she's toast. So it would be best to re-ring it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustinW.73 224 #8 Posted July 8, 2014 No I use either quakerstate or pennsoil. The no name is my tractor "name". Its really just a raider 12. But I am going to rebuild the engine when I restore the tractor this fall/winter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
